On the weekend I went to a very large Stampin' Up! event held in Auckland. Those attending were challenged to make name badges using Stampin' Up! products. Here is mine...

Stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet (wood: 121490, clear: 120585). Card/Paper: Daffodil Delight (121680), Baja Breeze (116207), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Cherry Cobbler (119669), Daffodil Delight (119667), Baja Breeze (111833). Accessories: Daffodil Delight 5/8" Satin Ribbon (119750), Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon (114319), Basic Pearls Jewels (119247). Tools: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Square Bigz Die (115950), Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (118138), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (119860), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 3/4" Circle Punch (119873), Heat Tool (106586), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Tombow (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430). Non-SU!: felt.

No, there are no new products from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue on my name badge. You will have to keep reading to see the sneak peak!

So, just like my last name badge, having an appropriately-sized badge that incorporated the length of my name was an additional challenge. I like what I came up with. And the square fits perfectly on the Scallop Square die-cut felt.

The flowers were made using Daffodil Delight 5/8" Satin Ribbon. I cut a length of ribbon, snipped it at intervals of approximately 2 cm and then heated it with the Heat Tool. The heat causes the ribbon to curl and twist, and the snipped pieces become petal-like. I then adhered the ribbon to a circle of card stock, starting from the outside and working my way around the circle, into the middle.

There is a really great You Tube tutorial HERE if you are interested in seeing how it is done.

Okay, here's the sneak peak...

Check out this cute little card using the new In Colors from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue, also a new stamp set and punch...

Stamps: Delicate Doilies (wood: 124960, clear: 122592), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (wood: 119185, clear: 120024). Card/Paper: Island Indigo (124390), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Island Indigo (122937), Pool Party (122938). Accessories: Basic Rhinestones Jewels (119246). Tools: Doily Triple Layer Punch (122465), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

And here is how I made this and the other sponged cards...

1. Mask around the area you want to introduce colour to. Usually you would use paper or Post-It Notes, but an alternative is acetate. For these cards I used acetate because I can clean it and re-use it many times.

The Whisper White card stock for the card front was cut to 9.3 cm x 9.3 cm, so I cut my actetate mask to approx. 10 cm square (larger so I won't get any ink where I don't want it). I then cut a window out of the centre and laid the completed mask over my card stock.

2. Sponge colour onto the exposed card stock. Our Stamping Sponges come in packs of three and I cut each of the sponges into six or eight wedges. This is a really economical way of using sponges, also a wedge is easier to hold when sponging.

When you sponge you will find that when your sponge touches the card it leaves a very heavy and speckled look. The way to achieve a soft and blended look is to start off your card stock (on your mask) and, using an even pressure, apply the ink in a circular motion. It does take a bit of practice to get your sponging nice and even, but keep at it as it is a great technique to master.

3. Add any stamping that you want contained within the masked area.

4. Remove mask and complete your card.

I created this card and three other designs to swap with over the weekend.

Stamps: Delicate Doilies (wood: 124960, clear: 122592), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (wood: 119185, clear: 120024). Card/Paper: Riding Hood Red (120971), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Riding Hood Red (111836), Calypso Coral (122939). Accessories: Basic Rhinestones Jewels (119246). Tools: Doily Triple Layer Punch (122465), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Stamps: Delicate Doilies (wood: 124960, clear: 122592), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (wood: 119185, clear: 120024). Card/Paper: Elegant Eggplant (108614), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Elegant Eggplant (105210), Wisteria Wonder (122936). Accessories: Basic Rhinestones Jewels (119246). Tools: Doily Triple Layer Punch (122465), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Stamps: Delicate Doilies (wood: 124960, clear: 122592), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (wood: 119185, clear: 120024). Card/Paper: Always Artichoke (108610), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Always Artichoke (105219), Lucky Limeade (122935). Accessories: Basic Rhinestones Jewels (119246). Tools: Doily Triple Layer Punch (122465), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

More details about these lovely new In Colors and products when the catalogue is released on 1 September!

• You can still pre-order your 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue before 1 September and pay only $10 (RRP $15.95). Click HERE to contact me.